Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly encouraged former Red Bull F1 teammates Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen to consider participating in NASCAR, adding his voice to the growing discussion about high-profile crossovers in motorsports. The topic of bringing global talent like Ricciardo and Verstappen into NASCAR highlights Earnhardt’s belief that such moves could benefit both the drivers and the sport as a whole.
Daniel Ricciardo, who left Formula 1 in 2024 and is currently a free agent, is seen by many fans and experts as a potential candidate for a career shift to American racing. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion and one of the most prominent figures in F1, is gearing up for his twelfth season in the series. The possibility of seeing drivers of their calibre in NASCAR has generated significant excitement among racing enthusiasts, as fresh rivalries and new storylines could emerge from such a crossover.
Historical Perspective on F1-NASCAR Crossovers
Competing in both F1 and NASCAR has always been a rare accomplishment in motorsport. Notable figures such as Juan Pablo Montoya, Kimi Räikkönen, Jacques Villeneuve, Christian Fittipaldi, and Mario Andretti have managed this feat, but their numbers remain small compared to F1-IndyCar transitions. In recent times, Mick Schumacher, son of world champion Michael Schumacher, became the latest to make a cross-discipline move, racing with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in IndyCar.
The rarity of F1 and NASCAR crossover opportunities often sparks debates about who is the superior all-around driver. Last season, fans saw heated discussions comparing Kyle Larson, defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, with Max Verstappen, each championing their discipline and openly discussing the other’s skill set.
Earnhardt Jr.’s View on New Opportunities
While Verstappen has, as Earnhardt noted, shown minimal interest in NASCAR so far, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is optimistic about the prospect of seeing Verstappen join the American series. Earnhardt views both Verstappen and Ricciardo as well-suited for the challenge, pointing to Ricciardo’s relatively young age and Verstappen’s impressive work ethic and innate talent.
“I was hoping that Daniel Ricciardo would come to NASCAR after his decision to leave Formula 1, and that may still happen,”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Fame Driver
Earnhardt believes that the skills of today’s F1 drivers could match well with NASCAR’s evolving machinery. He emphasized that the technical updates in current NASCAR vehicles, including independent rear suspension and transaxle diffusers, make adapting from F1 a more achievable task than in previous decades.
“I would love to see Max Verstappen give it a try,”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Fame Driver
“He’s incredible, and I think his curiosity, his work ethic, I think all of that would play a great role in allowing him to be successful.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Fame Driver
“Plus, our cars have changed a lot,”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Fame Driver
“Our cars have independent rear suspension, the transaxle diffuser… Our cars aren’t the stock cars from 10, 20 years ago, and so I think the opportunity for an F1 guy to have success is much better today than it was 20 years ago.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Fame Driver
Verstappen’s Alternative Racing Ambitions
So far, Max Verstappen has expressed more interest in other areas of motorsport, such as endurance and touring car events. Recently, Verstappen participated in a private Supercar test in Australia, sharing his enthusiasm for possibly contesting the legendary Bathurst 1000. Verstappen has also secured a license to compete in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for the 2026 season and has aspirations to race at the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I drove it last week, it was lots of fun,”
Max Verstappen, F1 World Champion
Many fans and industry observers believe that a successful switch by high-profile drivers like Verstappen and Ricciardo would boost NASCAR’s international appeal, while giving the drivers new challenges and an entirely different competitive environment.
The Impact and Future of High-Profile Motorsports Crossovers
The idea of a Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR crossover involving Formula 1 stars continues to spark interest across the motorsport world. With NASCAR’s evolving technology and openness to attracting top-tier talent, the path for elite international drivers appears increasingly accessible. Should Ricciardo or Verstappen accept Earnhardt Jr.’s invitation, it could mark one of the most significant moments in racing, influencing how future generations of drivers view cross-disciplinary success and revitalizing transatlantic rivalries in the process.
